6 Foods to Eat This Fall

by Elisa Igelsia, EAT STRETCH NAP™ Contributor

October is here… and with that comes everything Fall!! Autumn is my absolute favorite season of the year and I love to take full advantage of nightly bonfires, comfy fall sweaters, and fall harvested/themed foods. This list below is inspired by my weekly grocery runs and Saturday morning trips to my local farmer’s market - all organic of course!

These 5 foods get me excited for fall, check them out!

1. Locally Grown Apples

The only thing I have to say about fresh, organic apples this time of year is YUM! There is nothing better than fresh, ripe apples in the fall season. The best apples are locally grown and can be found at your local farmer’s market and/or apple orchard! Cook them up apple crisp style or eat them right off the branch - whatever makes you happy!

2. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This recipe never fails to be my favorite, and has been my go to for the last month. My new trick is to add cooked turkey bacon to these brussels at the very end! Want to see the full recipe on the ESN Blog? Click here.

3. Raw Pumpkin Seeds

These are my go-to in the fall for a protein and fiber boost! Plus, pumpkin seeds are so delicious in season. Buy a bag of these at your local farmer’s market and see what the hype is all about!

4. Cilantro Lime Rice

I stumbled across this easy + delicious recipe a couple weeks ago when I was trying to find new dinner ideas. It’s as simple as it sounds - cook up some brown rice, add fresh lime juice, and top it off with cilantro shavings. Try it out on your own!

5. Green Tea with Lemon

What’s better than getting up early on a crispy, fall morning and drinking some hot green tea on the front porch? Literally nothing. Bigelow’s Green Tea with Lemon is reason I get up in the morning and it’s even better paired with fall weather. Green tea’s natural caffeine wakes me up and gives me that small boost of natural energy that I benefit from each morning!

6. Granola

I put granola on erryythinggg - yogurt, oatmeal, bananas with almond butter, you name it! My current favorite is purely Elizabeth’s grain free granola. With so many different flavors and options, it’s impossible to get sick of it and you can add granola to anything!

Happy fall eating!! 

Elisa Iglesia [@elisaiglesia]
EAT STRETCH NAP™ Contributor

AFAA Group Fitness Certified and Yoga Sculpt Instructor, super passionate about kinesiology, nutrition and travel!

The Key to Better Breath (Inspired By Ayurveda)

by vpk® by Maharishi Ayurveda

Frustrated with yucky morning breath? Want a cleaner mouth? AND to enjoy your food more?!

You’re in the right place! Our friends at vpk® by Maharishi Ayurveda's have some great Ayurvedic tips on how to get a cleaner mouth and fresher breath. Hint: it’s all about tongue scraping!

Click here for vpk® by Maharishi Ayurveda's article on Tongue Scraping for Better Breath and a Healthier Mouth.

4 Essential Foods for a Pitta Dosha Diet

Did you know that your ideal diet and nutrition is largely determined by your dosha? Each energy has certain physical, physiological and personality qualities that are unique and can be tailored to - especially when it comes to diet and nutrition.  Being aware of what you put into your body will leave you healthy and full of energy! Overall, prioritize ~balance~  in your daily diet and make sure all your produce is fresh and organic to receive the most amount of nutrients.

These 4 foods are specific to balance and pacify the fire and water Pitta dosha within you. So if you're feeling hot and fiery -- eat these foods!

1. Sweet Fruit

Sweet fruit such as pears, mangos, berries, apples, grapes, avocados and coconut are easy on the pitta stomach compared to sour fruit, but still fulfill the sweet tooth that most pitta's have while being a great source of vitamins and fiber.

2. Leafy Greens

#eatyogreens Everyone can benefit from some green leafy vegetables, especially Pittas. Salads with a variety of greens such as kale, arugula, broccoli, and asparagus offer a low calorie, high nutrient meal option. Make sure to avoid spinach, as it can be hard to digest for pittas!

3. Herbal Tea

Start your day or wind down after a long week with a Pitta specific herbal tea to promote rest and body regeneration. This can be bought online or from any whole foods store - just make sure it is organic!

4. Cilantro

Pittas normally don't love herbs or spices, but cilantro is an exception! Cilantro is a great way to detox your body and get rid of toxins while also providing beneficial nutrients, phytochemicals and vitamins. As an antioxidant, cilantro also helps protect your cells against free radicals!

Happy clean eating!! 

Summertime Snax - Mango Avocado Salsa

Healthy, all natural salsa is hard to find - that's why we've decided to bring it right to your screen!

This mango avocado salsa pairs great with organic tortilla chips as a quick snack or can be used as a delicious sauce on top of grilled seafood or meat!

Impress your friends and family at your next summer gathering with this yummy + healthy salsa.

Prep Time: 15 minutes         

Ingredients

- 1 fresh mango, pitted and chopped

- 1 fresh avocado, chopped

- 4 medium tomatoes, diced

- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1/2 cup red onion, diced small

- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

- 1 tsp sea salt

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- 1/2 habanero chili pepper, seeded and minced, if desired

Instructions

1. Prepare and chop/dice mango, avocado and tomatoes. Add to large bowl.

2. Add cilantro, garlic, red onion, lime juice,  sea salt and olive oil to bowl. If desired, add habanero chili pepper to bowl.

3. Mix all ingredients well.

4. Refrigerate and serve!!

Give this salsa a try + let us know your thoughts!

Summertime Snax - Chickpea and Spinach Salad

Chickpeas, also known as Garbanzo beans, are an excellent source of protein, especially for vegetarians + vegans. As one of our favorite ingredients, this easy no-cook recipe is the perfect way to show it off.

This Mediterranean inspired salad is ideal for a lunch on-the-go or a picnic with friends!!

We are convinced this is the easiest salad to whip up - check it out!

Prep Time: 15 minutes         

Ingredients

- 1 can (15.5 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

- 3 cups spinach, washed

- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

- 1 cup sweet corn, rinsed and drained

- 1 avocado, chopped

- 1/3 cup cilantro, washed and chopped

- 2 tbsp lemon juice, if desired

Instructions

1. Rinse and drain chickpeas and sweet corn thoroughly.

2. Wash spinach, cut cherry tomatoes, chop avocado.

3. Add spinach to large bowl, then add chickpeas, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes and avocado. Toss gently.

4. Wash and chop cilantro. Add to bowl.

5. Drizzle lemon juice on top if desired.

6. Refrigerate and serve!!

Give this yummy salad a try + let us know what you think!